Preparing You For Success

At the Graduate School, we’re committed to providing the information and support you need for you to complete your graduate degree. To that end, we present a number of helpful workshops and events throughout the year. And our staff can offer you focused assistance with topics such as recruitment, thesis and dissertation preparation, and financial awards to groups of students or faculty in individual departments.

Graduate Professional Skills Academy

The Graduate Professional Skills (GPS) Academy is a professional development and career skills program designed by the Graduate School to help prepare you for your career after graduation.

Individualized Development Plan (IDP): A Roadmap for Success

An IDP is a tool for personal and professional development that allows people to explore career options, identify areas for skill development, and set short- and long-term goals. Identifying the skills needed for career success focuses students attention on their goals so that they make the best use of their time in graduate school.

All students and post docs would benefit from an IDP. Some organizations require them for all employees. An IDP can be used throughout a person’s entire training and employment.

Ideally, the IDP will be developed during the first semester of graduate study, but it is never too late to make one.

How is the IDP Used?

Students should use their IDP to guide conversations with their advisor and supervisory committee, coursework choices (e.g., electives & certificates) and professional development choices. Multiple professional development activities are provided for NDSU graduate students through the Graduate Professional Skills (GPS) Academy (https://myndsu.ndsu.edu).The IDP should be reviewed and updated periodically—aiming for once a semester. People change throughout their training and across the course of their careers. Reviewing at a set time each semester encourages monitoring progress toward goals, and allows for refining and adding to the IDP over time.

Professional Development Listserv

Our listserv gives you a variety of professional development information. Topics include applying for jobs in a range of fields, resumes and curricula vitae, leadership, professional networking, teaching, communication, and the like.

A multi-part column on transferable skills that graduate students have. If you’re thinking about employment in business, industry, nonprofit, or government settings, identifying the skills you have to offer is a crucial first step.

NDSU Career Center

The NDSU Career Center offers a wide variety of services and resources to help you navigate your career path. From interview prep to networking and job placement resources, we can help you tailor a plan for your future.

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university. We are a top-ranked institution, providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges – our graduates shape a better world.